The Winkler Royals are champions.
Winkler capped off a hard-fought South Eastern Manitoba Hockey League final with a 4-3 overtime win over the Ile des Chenes Northstars in Game 6 on March 27, securing the best-of-seven series four games to two.
Ile des Chenes’ Justin Engel tries to stop Winkler’s Brett Bergman from getting to the puck in front of goaltender Matthew Radomsky in game five of the series last week. Winkler won it 6-2 and then took game six 4-3 two nights later on the road to win the trophy
After trading wins through the first four games, the Royals took control late in the series, highlighted by a dominant Game 5 performance on March 25, when they defeated Ile des Chenes 6-2 on home ice to grab a 3-2 series lead.
Game 5 proved to be a turning point, as Winkler’s powerplay took over. The Royals struck three times on six opportunities, with Cody Fowlie scoring twice and adding two assists, while TJ Matuszewski delivered a four-point night with a goal and three helpers.
Winkler opened the scoring early in the second period when Fowlie converted on the man advantage, and they never looked back. Brett Bergman netted the game-winner midway through the frame, while Aaron Lewadniuk and Matuszewski added insurance goals to put the game out of reach.
In goal, Matthew Thiessen was steady once again, turning aside 33 shots to backstop the victory. Thiessen was a difference-maker throughout the playoffs, finishing with a 10-2-1 record, a 1.98 goals-against average and a .945 save percentage, along with four shutouts.
The Northstars had opened the scoring in Game 5 through Noah Keating, and later added a goal from Matthew Osadick, but struggled to keep pace as Winkler’s special teams and depth took over.
That momentum carried into Game 6, where Winkler sealed the championship in overtime after a tightly contested battle.
The Royals’ playoff run was powered by a deep and consistent offensive attack. Matuszewski led all postseason scorers with 21 points (11 goals, 10 assists), including six powerplay markers and three game-winning goals. Justin Augert followed closely with 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists), while Lewadniuk also reached the 20-point mark with 14 assists and six goals.
Fowlie added 14 points in 13 games, while Braden Hildebrand chipped in five goals, including three game-winners, underscoring Winkler’s ability to get contributions throughout the lineup.
Across the series, the Royals showed resilience after dropping Games 2 and 3, responding with three wins in the final four contests to close out the Northstars.
With a balanced attack, elite goaltending and a lethal powerplay, Winkler proved to be the class of the league when it mattered most, capturing the SEMHL championship in six games.
